Axial crushing of tubes as an energy dissipating mechanism for the reduction of acceleration induced injuries from mine blasts underneath infantry vehicles

A novel simple numerical formulation has been developed and implemented as a program to improve the capability of analytical approaches while reducing the dependence on computationally intensive numerical simulations. The formulation is based on an energy balance approach and utilizes explicit time integration of governing analytical energy equations to study the plastic work of the tube and impactor velocity in real time. An impulse–momentum equation yields the time history of the dynamic axial crushing force. The results of the numerical formulation are in excellent agreement with data from various external sources. The geometric and material properties of the tube can be varied to accurately study their effect on the dynamic crushing response, thus eliminating the need for frequent destructive testing. Further, the numerical formulation when properly modified, can predict occupant responses such as lumbar accelerations and compressive forces when used in crashworthiness applications.